Highlighting one of North Carolina’s most powerful economic engines, Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, presented executives of ABCO Automation with a proclamation for North Carolina Manufacturing Week and recognized the company’s innovative workforce practices before touring its Browns Summit facility.
Governor McCrory has proclaimed the week of October 3-7, 2016 North Carolina Manufacturing Week. Manufacturing accounts for more than $88 billion in annual production, about 20 percent of North Carolina’s gross domestic product. It also has a potent economic impact: for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, North Carolina’s economy generates $2.09, according to N.C. Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis team.
The state’s 10,387 manufacturers employ more than 461,000 North Carolinians.
“North Carolina leads the Southeastern U.S. in manufacturing jobs,” said Sec. Skvarla. “With its customer-focus and emphasis on innovation and workforce quality, ABCO embodies the best traditions of North Carolina manufacturing.”
Founded in Greensboro in 1977, ABCO provides automation solutions to manufacturers around the world, including robotic assembly systems and build-to-print machining. Its extensive customer base includes Pfizer, RJ Reynolds, BD and other major manufacturers. The company employs a 130-person workforce.
ABCO is a founding member of the Guilford Apprenticeship Partners (GAP), a program established last year to foster the use of apprenticeships as both a career pathway for students and a workforce pipeline for manufacturers in Guilford, Randolph and Rockingham counties. GAP brings together public school systems, community colleges, NC Commerce Workforce and local manufacturing managers to promote rigorous experience-based learning wherein students work toward a tuition-free Associates degree in industrial manufacturing and their Journeyman certificate. Apprentices are hired permanently by participating companies upon completing the program.
“We are very proud to be charter members of the Guilford Apprenticeship Program and appreciate the growing support of the State of North Carolina for apprenticeship programs, said Brad Kemmerer, president of ABCO Automation. “There are tremendous career opportunities for individuals seeking to learn a trade instead of pursuing a traditional four-year college degree.”
The Manufacturing Week spotlight included a tour by Sec. Skvarla and guests of ABCO’s production floor. Employees, including first-year ABCO apprentice Jacob Mohan, demonstrated their work. “It’s a great deal,” said Mohan of his apprenticeship. “I get work experience and an education.”